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Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Screen Gems (Sony)

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist reviews


5.8

based on 32 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 54 votes
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MPAA RATING: PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior

Starring Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Ari Graynor, Jay Baruchel, Rafi Gavron, and Aaron Yoo

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a comedy about two people thrust together for one hilarious, sleepless night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, late-night living, and live, loud music. Nick frequents New York's indie rock scene nursing a broken heart and a vague ability to play the bass. Norah is questioning pretty much all of her assumptions about the world. Though they have nothing in common except for their taste in music, their chance encounter leads to an all-night quest to find a legendary band's secret show and ends up becoming the first date in a romance that could change both their lives. (Sony Pictures)

GENRE(S):	Comedy \| Drama \| Romance
WRITTEN BY:	Lorene Scafaria
DIRECTED BY:	Peter Sollett
RELEASE DATE:	Theatrical: October 3, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	90 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

So much goes down on Nick and Norah's one enchanted evening that the best advice is to enjoy the ride -- the actual ride -- around this vibrant new New York.

USA Today Claudia Puig

Though the movie rambles in the middle, it gets back on track when Nick and Norah have a sweet encounter in an unexpected place. The soundtrack is an excellent counterpoint to the film's quirky scenarios.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

The movie is filled with wonderful music, memorable characters and rich, quotable dialogue. But what makes the picture really soar is the way it reminds you what it feels like to fall in love -- and the endless, countless possibilities a new romance brings.

NPR Bob Mondello

Though these two really grow on you, what's almost more remarkable than Nick, Norah or their playlist (which may not be infinite, but really does include some great music) is the quirky, melting-pot world director Peter Sollett creates around them.

Newsweek David Ansen

If we must have teen movies, let them all be as sweet and seductive as Sollett's smartly observed romance.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

A bright little screwball comedy that speaks for the vitality of new movies.

Los Angeles Times Michael Ordona

It is a teen romantic comedy that largely fits the familiar template but is also fleshed out with atmosphere, a nice blend of broad goofiness and sophistication, and two appealing leads who bring it to life.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Travis Nichols

Let's call this "High Fidelity Nano." It's a little bit less in every way, lighter and cuter than its archetypal elder, but it might just fit your present lifestyle all the better. Who needs to go back to the polysyllabic spree of John Cusack channeling Nick Hornby when you have Michael Cera making awkward emo look so lovable?

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

Some movies skate by fast on slick action. Others snap with crisp dialogue. Nick and Norah springs high on the bounce of its hugely likable leads, Michael Cera and Kat Dennings.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Geared more toward teens, although that won't prevent older viewers with an affinity for romance from appreciating the vibes it gives off.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

Sollett works easily and well with Cera and Dennings, and lends a touch of awkward realism to what, from a screenwriting perspective, is pure formula.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Sollett's working with stale material, clearly. He genuinely likes people, though, and his fondness revives "Nick and Norah" and sets it spinning with camaraderie and hope.

Premiere Jenni Miller

It's a fantasy of one night in New York City and all its insanity, grossness, romance, and glamour.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Liam Lacey

The movie's title proves to be not entirely a case of bait-and-switch. The film really is a homage to vintage Hollywood comedy.

Chicago Reader Andrea Gronvall

Director Peter Sollett (Raising Victor Vargas) and cinematographer Tom Richmond transform nocturnal New York into a soft-focus wonderland for their sweet but screwball courtship.

Time Richard Corliss

Though this Nick and Norah have a lot more angst, they're just as worth watching, admiring and cuddling up to.

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

Like the mix tapes that obsess its main characters, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist builds into something of infectious joy.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

Regards its characters with affectionate detachment, and assures its audience that no great calamities or revelations are in store. Instead, there are a series of small crises and tiny epiphanies, all adding up to a story that courts triviality in its pursuit of charm.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

It's the journey that matters, however, and sometimes the film doesn't seem to know where it's going.

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

The conceit here is that if a boy and a girl love the same music, that means they're in love. Who am I to argue with such poetic whimsy?

New York Post Kyle Smith

It has a dogged all-night charm and a sense of who its audience is.

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

Has been designed to make gentle hearts soar beneath neo-grunge exteriors. It's a mixture of high-SAT humor and high-jinks so crude they're really low-jinks.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Every generation deserves its ultimate high school romance, and Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist clearly aims to take the slot currently open. Despite a valiant attempt, though, it doesn't quite make the grade.

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

The movie itself seems to be locked in a kind of adolescence; it never quite blossoms into maturity, into a fully rounded whole.

Slate Dana Stevens

So slight it's almost diaphanous--an hour after seeing it, what the movie leaves behind is not so much a memory as a mood. Still, it's a fine mood.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

Sollett, hoping for a "Before Sunrise/Before Sunset" vibe, sadly settles for a soggy aftertaste.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

Within the realm of a mildly good time.

Variety John Anderson

This is the kind of sparsely plotted comedy that depends on compelling characters, but it stars two young actors defined by ironic detachment.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Lacks some of the idiocy of your average teenage rom-com. But it doesn't bring much to the party. It sort of ambles along, with two nice people at the center of a human scavenger hunt. It's not much of a film, but it sort gets you halfway there, like a Yugo.

Portland Oregonian Stan Hall

Lest anyone think this soils Cera's record, the movie actually highlights his unique gifts; his easygoing chemistry with co-star Kat Dennings is practically the only thing about this picture that isn't pathetically contrived.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

All I can seem to muster, post-screening, is a modicum of fondness and a probably impermanent relief that the film isn't anywhere near as awful as it might have been in less capable hands.

Village Voice Robert Wilonsky

Plays like something crafted in a lab by 54-year-old hucksters trying to sell shit to the kids under the cheerless guise of "alternative." The only thing it's an alternative to? Good.

The average user rating for this movie is 5.8 (out of 10) based on 54 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andrew S. gave it a1:
A disclaimer: I loved Juno, and didn't expect to, in fact probably didn't want to. I had a bad feeling on this one but went along anyway, encouraged by my wife. This is one of the ten worst films I have ever seen. It literally feels like something made by old guys in an ad agency after a bunch of focus groups. Do not waste your money or your time. (PS My wife concurs).

Monica P. gave it an8:
The movie Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist was a very enjoyable movie to watch. Throughout the movie I felt very connected with the characters in the sense that it could be a day in my life. Although I do not go searching for a band, I felt that the characters connection to the audience was strong. I loved the connection between Nick and Norah and the way they met. I also enjoyed the fact that Norah has been taking the cds Nick was making his ex-girlfriend out of the trash and listening to them. This showed that music can somewhat find a connection between people. I also thought that the end of the movie was very important. During the movie Norah is dating this guy who uses her for the connection she has through her father. She does not want to tell Nick because she feels he will do the same thing and push her to get her dad to publish his songs. But when she finally tells him he doesn’t care at all, doesn’t even think to ask her to get him a meeting with her father. I found that sometimes you can’t hold onto the past and you just have to learn from your mistakes. Many people in today’s society feel judged, but this movie shows that only you can judge yourself and what others say about you should not affect you. I loved Norah’s best friend because she adds more character to Norah in the sense that she has grown up taking care of not only herself but others as well. I loved Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and would definitely see it two or three more times, and own it. I thought it was one of the better movies that have come into theaters in a long time. It was also the right amount of movie time, not to long yet not to short. Very enjoyable movie!

Andrew gave it a4:
The movie was at all times painfully aware of its teenage audience and was constantly trying to impress them with that hip offbeat humor that only Juno was been able to capture.

Jerry J. gave it a2:
Sheer garbage. I love Michael Cera... but this is a sad cliche programmed for 13-16 year olds with low self-esteem. Ironically, it's faux-awkward gimick is so blatant - it's unintentionally awkward. Completely self aware and poorly written.

Steven L gave it a4:
this movie is a six, but i downgraded it because i could have watched burn after reading or body of lies instead. remember jay from knocked up? apparently he's a badass in this movie. at a whopping 150 lbs., he is clearly the biggest guy in the movie. maybe not, but still. my name is whatever you need it to be? i don't subscribe to any label? this movie has been done 1000 times and 500 times better. the ride is predictable, all the funny parts are shown in the previews, and nothing is really that funny. skip it.

carl g gave it a5:
Stay away from this one unless you're under 18. If you're over 18 just buy the soundtrack. Also, what was up with that sex scene????? Could they wear any more clothes?

Michael Marcinkus gave it a10:
Everything a movie should be. It loses you in the moment and you feel like you are a part of the characters' lives for a night. Lessons are learned without being hit over the head with a hammer.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Screen Gems (Sony)

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Screen Gems (Sony)